Abstract
The amphiphilic copolymer polyacrylonitrile-co-poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PAN-co-PHEMA) was readily blended with polyacrylonitrile (PAN) to fabricate a flat-sheet blending membrane through non-solvent induced phase separation (NIPS). In the membrane-forming process, the hydrophilic PHEMA chains are uniformly distributed on the surface, as revealed by the energy-dispersive X-ray tests. The sponge-like sub-layer embedded with droplet-shaped structures is formed at the cross-sections of membranes, because of the high viscosity of the casting solution. With the increase of copolymer concentration, the mean pore size of the blending membranes increases from 26.9 to 99.8 nm, leading to the increase of membrane flux from 93.6 to 205.4 l/(m2h). The incorporation of PAN-co-PHEMA copolymer endows the blending membrane with a rough surface microstructure and enhanced hydrophilicity. The rejection ratio of membranes for emulsified pump oil reaches 99.9%, indicating a prominent separation performance. In the cycle permeation experiments, the flux recovery ratio of the blending membranes is as high as 99.6%, which is much higher than those of PAN membrane. The irreversible fouling of blending membranes induced by oil adsorption is alleviated, and converted into reversible fouling, owing to the reduction of the adhesion force between foulant and membrane surface. These results suggest that the anti-fouling property of PAN membranes has been dramatically strengthened via the addition of PAN-co-PHEMA copolymer.
Funding source: National Natural Science Foundation of China
Award Identifier / Grant number: 51703118
Funding source: Yunnan Local Colleges Research Projects
Award Identifier / Grant number: 2019FH001-006
Funding source: Program for Chinese College Student Innovation Training
Award Identifier / Grant number: 202010684019 and 202010684028
Funding source: Program for Young and Middle-aged Leaders in Yunnan Academic and Technical Fields
Award Identifier / Grant number: 2019HB059
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Author contributions: All the authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this submitted manuscript and approved submission.
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Research funding: The funding supports of present work are kindly provided by National Natural Science Foundation of China (51703118), Yunnan Local Colleges Research Projects (2019FH001-006), Program for Chinese College Student Innovation Training (202010684019 and 202010684028), and Program for Young and Middle-aged Leaders in Yunnan Academic and Technical Fields (2019HB059).
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Conflict of interest statement: The authors declare no conflicts of interest regarding this article.
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